FROM ARCHIVES: William Shanklin guilty in Davion Mutts' death

It took a jury less than 90 minutes Thursday to convict William Shanklin of capital murder in the July 2005 murder of 4-year-old Davion Mutts.

Shanklin, who also was found guilty of felony child abuse and neglect, showed little reaction when the jury's verdict was announced. He did, however, try to make eye contact with Davion's aunt, Matriesha Turner, who was seated in the courtroom audience.

"She won't even look at me," the 30-year-old Hampton man told his lawyer about his former girlfriend. The two were living together in a townhouse on Dooley Street off Settler's Landing Road when Davion was killed.

Turner was convicted last year of felony child abuse and felony child neglect because she beat Davion with a switch across his back. The neglect charge stems from Turner failing to get the boy medical treatment for second- and third-degree burns he suffered a few days before he was killed on July 13, 2005.

She faces 20 years in prison when sentenced next month.

A jury will decide Friday if Shanklin should receive the death penalty.

Shanklin's lawyer was expected to launch a defense today, but instead Michael Fasanaro rested the defense's case without calling any witnesses.

The surprise move came after Fasanaro conferred with Shanklin for over two hours.

However, Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Romeo Lumaban countered that Shanklin had motive and opportunity to kill Davion. He was angry with the boy because he used the bathroom on his bed, and he was the only one who was with Davion on the night he was reported missing.